Race incidents in Lothians decrease

THE number of racist incidents recorded by police in Lothian and Borders fell last year, new figures show.

The total of 1083 for 2010-11 was down from 1158 the previous year and from a peak of 1521 in 2006-07.

Across Scotland as a whole, racist incidents were down for the fourth year in a row.

However, more up-to-date Crown Office prosecution statistics, published last month, show an eight per cent increase in charges for racism and other forms of hatred in 2011-12.

Community safety minister Roseanna Cunningham said: “The Scottish Government will not tolerate racist behaviour of any kind, whether on the street, in a pub or club, in our workplaces or at a football match, and we back our police and prosecutors in punishing offenders for their shameful behaviour.”